Armitage could be allowed to feature at World Cup

The back rower has five international caps, but has not played for England since swapping London Irish for Toulon in 2011.

Armitage - last season's ERC European Player of the Year - is not currently eligible for selection due to playing his domestic rugby away from the England, but RFU chief Ian Ritchie has refused to rule out some involvement for the 29-year-old at next year's World Cup.

"There is an exceptional circumstances clause," he said. "The usual question is 'what does that mean?' By definition almost, you can't say what is an exceptional circumstance.

"So who knows what's going to happen?

"Who knows what happens with injuries, who knows what happens with form but we're very happy with the policy it's the right thing in professional rugby."

England kick off their World Cup campaign against Fiji at Twickenham on September 18.